Philippines – The Diary of The Deranged Writer

10-Minute Warning CXCV

It’s been a while since I wrote a Minute Warning post. What can I share here in under ten minutes?

After an eventful few days (e.g., completing all nine Simbang Gabi Masses, my family’s first Noche Buena in years), my body is waving the white flag today. However, I have work to do, which includes running an errand. So, I took it easy and walked it instead. My throat was itchy earlier, but after having The Angel’s Cup (hot honey/citron/ginger tea), now it’s fine.

I’m pretty excited for tomorrow’s reunion with my Mother’s relatives because I haven’t seen all of them together in one night in years. Maybe I’ll bring some pizza and a bottle of Jack & Daniel’s whiskey and Coke Zeros, so my relatives will have the option of having either the whiskey or the soft drink, or I can just mix Devil’s Cups for them. I could buy some pre-mixed cans, but they taste sweeter, and I’m not sure if my relatives will like that. I believe that my mixing of The Devil’s Cup is the better option because it tastes like an equal amount of both Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Coke Zero. Plus, mixing the drink myself adds a personal touch.

What else? Well, I learned last night that the Netflix hit series Stranger Things will be involved in the first WWE Raw of 2026. That’s the strangest collaboration ever. I love it! Will the cast be there? Who knows? I’m excited to see the first Raw to be broadcast on Netflix Philippines! (That’s January 6, 2025, at 9am, Philippine Standard Time.)

I still have a few minutes left, but crap. I need to run a surprise errand and then get a fresh haircut. My hair looks weird now. See you in the next post… probably tomorrow.

10-Minute Warning CLXXXVI

So, what can I share in under ten minutes?

I will start with a rant: I rarely lose my belongings. That’s why I’m so frustrated that I misplaced my trusted small bottle of ethyl alcohol. Or worse, I lost it. Is my frustration irrational? Maybe. But because I rarely lose my belongings, I’m absolutely frustrated with myself.

But then again, I can’t stay frustrated for long while looking for it. That’s a lost cause. I will just buy another small ethyl alcohol. Thank goodness, it’s only worth PHP 30. And this is a lesson for me as well: even if I rarely lose my things (EDC or not), I need to be more careful with them. I can do better.

As for work, there are no urgent tasks today because it’s a holiday. (Every last Monday of August is National Heroes Day in the Philippines.) There were also tasks that I could’ve done by the end of the month, but I finished them today. Now my workload is pretty non-existent.

And in closing, I salute the heroes who fought for the country’s freedom, the heroes who continue the good fight, the heroes who fight for a better life, and the heroes who make a difference in this world. Happiest National Heroes Day, Republic of the Philippines!

That’s it for now. See you in the next post.

30-Minute Warning XVI

So, what can I write here under 30 minutes?

The past few days have been memorable. Let me list down:

On February 12, I walked from my home to Arcovia City with my Mother and cousin May… and then we walked back home. I hope to walk and jog to places other than Three Trees because changing my routine is nice.

On February 13, I finally got the posters featuring Riki “Riddle” LeCotey’s Wednesday Addams cosplay, and all 3 posters were signed with “Happy birthday, DW!” I’m on cloud nine even now. Ms. Riddle is such a nice lady. I hope she visits a comic con in the Philippines this year or later.

On February 14, I attended Mass with my Mother and cousins for Ash Wednesday, and then we had some burgers and milkshakes at Shake Shack. My stomach is happy.

On February 15, I attended a gig organized by my younger brothers and their team. Even if I’m not much of a nocturnal as I was, it was nice seeing bands rock it out live until 12am. I hope to see more musical acts this year.

And then I started today, February 16, with a chicken drumstick meal with my younger brothers at Frankie’s BGC. It has been a while since we ate there, and we missed it. After our late dinner, we went home and I slept like a baby. Good thing I didn’t have work to do, so I took it easy. Tonight I went to my favorite cafe Satchmi, had a baked ziti and iced tea, and I updated my journal after.

Right now I’m finishing this post while I’m drinking my Jack and Coke. The weekend has officially begun!

And time’s up.

Header image: Josh Sorenson of Pexels. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2024.